The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-03-26
A LONG "LENT."
It at Last Passed Away for the
Martin Family.

MarUln fhully.
It was q cold, dark, chcerless day, and the
CITY streets, which, q few weeks before
were throngcd with happy crowd o.
Christmas buyers, were almost deserted
A fine, sleety snow was falling, and tht
wind was rising in very unpleasant way
blowing the sharp PARTICLES \of snow IL
every ones eyes and ears, not at all aDashet
by the umbrellas that were held to ware
them off. It's poor snowflake that allows
itself to be discouraged by an umbrells
when there Is any wind at all; for, IL II
fails to get under or around that particular
umbrella, it can drift to one side, or ever
fall to the ground, and rise again in a min
ute. fresh and vigorous for another attack
'Why, is that you, Katie! nearly ran
you down"
MY! Doesn't it blows I'm almost pulled
to pieces" is the reply, as two young girls
meet at the entrance of florist.
"Oh Matte, what lovely rosesl' the last
speaker continued. Are you going to weai
them tonight"
.'Yes Aren't they fine! They'll go sc
well with my pink plush. | hear that
Mamie Tracy gives party next week. l
suppose Wen be nvited.'
'Of course said she who answered to
the name of Kaic. "And I'm awfully glad.
But then to think Lent's got to come in and
spoil all our fun!'
YES said Matte, lightly. 81 don't see
why we have to keep Lent when we'd so
mitch rather be having good timc.'
''Well, well have good time tonight,
any way. I'm going to buy some yellow
flowers of some sort, if l can find them.
Come in with me-"
mo | must hurry home. I've lots to do
before night
Goodbye, then" And Katie tripped into
the store while Matte paused before the
window to see If among the roses there dis
played were any more beautiful than the
ones she had purchased. She did not notice
a little thin wisp of girl standing close
against the glass with her eyes upon the
bank OF lovely flowers in the window. Such
a little thin, cold girl! but neat and clean,
although so very poorly clad. She was
looking in the window; but it was evident
that her thoughts were upon her fair neigh
hor whose warm, fur-trimmed costume
brushed against the faded calico skirt and
the small checked shawl in which she had
rolled her arms in the vain hope OF warm
ing them. She looked puzzled and dis
trcssed, and seemed to be trying to muster
sufficient courage to address the pleasant
faced girl by her side. Matte turned to go,
and this brought matters to u Crisis. one
little blue hand came out OF the checked
shawl, and was laid lightly on Mattle's arm.
May speak to you! 1 want 10 KNOW
-I-want to ask you''-
Matte turned, and looked into the be-
sscching ewes that were as blue as her own,
but that had seen more privation and
trouble in her own life and in that of those
around her than Mattie's had in all their
sixteen years. Mattie's heart throbbed
with pity az. with 'one glance, she took in
the poverty of the child before her. She
was used to poor persons; her mother and
herself both taught in a mission sewing
school, and Matte had accompanied her
mother upon many visits to their little pu-
pills.
s.What 10 it9n asked Matte, kindly.
sWhat do you wantf"
u heard you talking, and / want toto
know if there arc two-tWo of them"
1.-TWO of what!"
sTwo Of them; two Lents. What is
Lcnt,"
"Lentm exclaimed Matte, in astonish
mcnt ''Iyhy, Lent is-is-why, Lent is O
a fast of the Church. There is only one. "
.Oh.n said the child in disappointed
tones. and. rolling her arms in her shawl
Don't go.'' said Matte. "Wherc do you
live, What is your name, and why did you
ask mo about Lcntl"
II live in the alley back OF Chester street
in Ferris row." was the reply, in hesita
ting voice. ''SIy names Allie Martin"
She paused, and seemed reluctant to an
swer the last part of Mattie's question
Matte repeated it kindly.
"Ihenrd the other girl say Lent spells al
YOUR rood times. Mr.. Mason talks of Lent
but he never said it spoilt any thing. Are
you sure there is only one"
"Why, | don't know what You mean p
said Matte, surprised at the tears that stood
in the little girls eyes, "Who's Mr.. Masonl'
"Mr. Mason, he's minister. He comes
to sec mo her"
Maytie felt the blood rush 10 her cheeks
rs she recalled the words the child hat
overheard; and she felt condemned ant
embarrassed haforc the girl whose faith il
some one or something shc had evidently
and painfully shaken. To cover her con
fusion she asked Allies name second time
and scr!bblod It down on one of her bundles
"Would won lilIo my mother TO come ant
see you, Aliio2n size asked. "She can tel
you ali about Lent
"Yos, maalp, thank YOU" and the chile
WAS hidden from view by gay matinee
crowd that poured forth from an adjoining
thcnter.
'sWhat is Lontln rang in Mattic's ears al
the way hone. She was mortified that SHE
had not been ablo to give tho child q bettel
answer. As she thought about it, she was
surprised to find how little attention she
mad ever given to the meaning of those
forty days thut ended with Easter Sunday
She knew what that comnemorated, o.
course; but of that interval VIXEN hel
friends rcfrancd from worldly gayeties
and society WAS $50 awfully dull" as She
mad often expressed it, she had very
,ague knowledge. "ll read IL up in my
Bible Tonight" she said to herself rs sh,
entered her mothers house. She did not
owever; for she got home from the part,
loo late, aud by that tune she had forgotten
Allies existence. Perhaps 1t is just al
well; for fear sho would have spent Inucl
valuable time in the search and have beel
no wiser in the end than when she began
Allie Martin hurried as fast as her be
numbod little foet would carry her; bu
Chester street was u long distance fromth'
window where she had met Matte, and be
fore she reached the marrow alley and as
rended the fight OF ricketty outside stars
hat led TO Mrs. Martins poor rooms. thu
taars that had followed one another down